SOPHISTICATED WITH A DASH OF ISLAND SWAGGER—THESE LOCAL TRENDSETTERS PROVE THAT STYLE IS INDEED A STATE OF MIND.
Lifelong friends and Hawaiian natives Meleana Estes and Noël Pietsch Shaw—each with personal heirloom bracelet collections that span generations.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Noel Pietsch Shaw (@noelpietschshaw) is Makiki proud, and knows how to curate an aesthetic that captures the laid-back island vibe.
PHOTO BY JENN ELLENBURG & SURFPLEASE
“What is most important to me when dressing is that I feel like ME... I do my best work when I feel like my authentic self. I have a hard time doing that if I’m worrying if my outfit ‘works,’” says the luxury real estate agent and co-founder of HIE Heirlooms (hiehawaii.com). For Shaw, island life is a source of constant inspiration but notes that Hawai‘i creates a bit of a shoe issue. “We are a sandal State!” she exclaims. “I try to stock up on shoes in the summer months when all of the brands launch their resort collections.”
MY AESTHETIC: Effortless
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Ulla Johnson, XIRENA
FAVORITE SHOP: Ron Herman, Waikīkī
SHOPPING WEAKNESS: We Are Iconic, Honolulu
GO-TO OUTFIT: Distressed jeans, a crisp white button-down shirt and gold jewelry
CHERISHED ACCESSORY: My great great great grandmother‘s Hawaiian bracelet dated January 1, 1881
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Hawaiian bracelets
WORKOUT: Walks around Diamond Head, Pilates O Ka La, Honolulu
FAVORITE MOVIE: “The Wrong Missy”... I love movies filmed in Hawai‘i
MENTOR: My Grandfather
SHOES: CELINE leather sandals
BEST STYLE ADVICE: Wear what makes you feel good
MANTRA: Be nice & fun
JEWELRY: HIE Heirlooms, of course!
CURRENT OBSESSION: My kids… they are pretty awesome
FASHION/SHOPPING APP: Net-A-Porter
SKINCARE ESSENTIAL: La Mer‘s The Renewal Oil
PURSE: CELINE Nano bag
SIGNATURE SCENT: Diptyque Do Son or Eau Rose Eau de parfum
FAVORITE WORK OF ART: A commission by Maui artist Abigail
ROMANCHAK DRESS OR PANT: Pant/jeans
PATTERNS OR SOLIDS: Solids
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Diamonds
Meleana Estes (@meleana_hawaii) has inspired so many with her work, from lei-making to fashion design.
PHOTO BY JENN ELLENBURG & SURFPLEASE
Raised on a banana farm on Kaua‘i and living with her Tūtū in Honolulu, Estes was immersed in the natural beauty of Hawai‘i from an early age. “I love bright florals and never shy away from color, which I think reflects our colorful home,” says the co-founder of HIE Heirlooms (hiehawaii.com) in Diamond Head, O‘ahu. “Also, the ease of getting dressed is important… You might be packing your dress in a beach bag to throw on after the ocean rushing to a family party. Our lifestyle does dictate a casual style, but it’s easy to dress that up with some gold HIE bangles and a fabulous pair of flats.”
MY AESTHETIC: Feminine vintage lover with a touch of edge
STYLE ICON: Jane Birkin
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: In Hawai‘i, Nake‘u Awai and Manuheali‘i
FAVORITE SHOP: We Are Iconic, Honolulu; Number 808, Hale‘iwa
SHOPPING WEAKNESS: A vintage pop-up... I can‘t resist a fun mu‘umu‘u
GO-TO OUTFIT: High-waisted shorts or skirt, fun little top to complement and flats
CHERISHED ACCESSORY: My two necklaces: a vintage locket and my “K” for my son, Kaiea
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Pareus
WORKOUT: I am a walker/runner
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Love Actually”
MENTOR: My Aunty Danene Lunn of Manuheali‘i and dear friend Gina Davidson
SHOES: Beatrice Venezuela slides
LIPSTICK: Rose Hermes
BEST STYLE ADVICE: Wear what makes you happy
MANTRA: Jump in the ocean daily
JEWELRY: HIE bangles on my wrist mixed with my own heirlooms
FASHION/SHOPPING APP: Net-A-Porter
SKINCARE ESSENTIAL: Tinted SPF moisturizer from Saie Beauty and Supergoop
PURSE: Isabel Marant
SIGNATURE SCENT: Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum
FAVORITE WORK OF ART: Our family‘s Allen Akina Collection from my Tūtū
DRESS OR PANT: Dress
PATTERNS OR SOLIDS: Patterns
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Diamonds
As the owner and designer behind Shores Company, ISLE Hous and Under The Palm Studio (tawnyaproctor.go.studio) based on O‘ahu‘s picturesque North Shore, Tawnya Proctor (@tawnyaproctor) helps others discover their inner beauty.
PHOTO BY THE WANDERING B PHOTOGRAPHY
With a style all her own, Proctor is as vibrant and alive as the island she calls home. “The ocean is where I get a lot of inspiration, along with the local culture that thrives here on the islands,” she says. “I like bringing past trends—my favorite being the ’70s—to the future in a more modern way. You’ll catch me wearing a bright pareo with a leather biker jacket… going against the grain has always been the pathway that inspires me, not being afraid to do things a little differently.” Next up for Proctor are Shores Company’s first ecofriendly resort wear line and three new fragrances.
MY AESTHETIC: Edgy/beach
STYLE ICON: Kate Moss
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford & Jasmin Larian Hekmat
FAVORITE SHOP: Bungalow Living Bali, Indonesia
SHOPPING WEAKNESS: Home decor
GO-TO OUTFIT: Vintage Levi‘s and my favorite Balmy Bandeau top by Shores Company
CHERISHED ACCESSORY: CHANEL vintage bag
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Sea shells
WORKOUT: Shell diving and beach walks
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Blue Lagoon”
MENTOR: My late grandfather
SHOES: Barefoot
LIPSTICK: Kiehl‘s lip balm
BEST STYLE ADVICE: Less is more
MANTRA: Bring paradise home
JEWELRY: I love wearing jewelry! I make all my black pearls and buy from Noelani Hawaii
CURRENT OBSESSION: Tahitian black pearls and silk dresses
SKINCARE ESSENTIAL: Golden Hour Botanicals face balm and moisturizer
PURSE: Bali raffia bag
SIGNATURE SCENT: Windswept by Shores Company. It‘s a blend of Tahitian gardenia, tuberose and lily of the valley
FAVORITE WORK OF ART: My personal archive of surf photography and resin pours
DRESS OR PANT: Dress
PATTERNS OR SOLIDS: Solids
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Pearls!!!
“I sewed my first dress in 8th grade. I was so happy when I finished it,” recalls Julie Stone, owner of the bohemian luxe swimsuit line Posh Pua (poshpua.com) and popular Holoholo Surf Shop (holoholosurf.com) in the heart of Makawao, Maui. Now her custom designs are coveted by locals and visitors alike.
PHOTO BY RYAN SIPHERS PHOTOGRAPHY
When I asked her when she had her first fashion moment, she laughs, “If you mean when was the first moment I was fashionable in public, I’m still not sure I have been!” Born on O‘ahu and now living with her family in Maui, her Bohemian yet polished personal style brings an aloha spirit to everything she does. “So much of my wardrobe is both vintage and new aloha shirts and muumuu,” she says. “The bright color combinations are everything. I try to mix aloha print with some basics but otherwise, it is the backbone of my closet.”
MY AESTHETIC: Keep it casual and a little weird
STYLE ICON: Rell Sunn
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Waltah Clarke and Kamehameha
FAVORITE SHOP: Holoholo Surf Shop and Kealopiko
SHOPPING WEAKNESS: Boots
GO-TO OUTFIT: Aloha shirt, Levi‘s and boots
CHERISHED ACCESSORY: My Ni‘ihau momi shell necklace
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Water
WORKOUT: Surfing and yoga
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Almost Famous”
MENTOR: My Mom
SHOES: Frye
LIPSTICK: ILIA nude
BEST STYLE ADVICE: Take chances
MANTRA: Be thankful
JEWELRY: Puka shell wedding band
CURRENT OBSESSION: Surfing
FASHION/SHOPPING APP: Poshmark
SKINCARE ESSENTIAL: Coconut oil
PURSE: Lauhala bag
SIGNATURE SCENT: Olivine Atelier‘s Amongst the Waves Eau de Parfum
FAVORITE WORK OF ART: Too hard to choose one
DRESS OR PANT: Pants
PATTERNS OR SOLIDS: Patterns
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Black pearls
With effortless island style, Dana Roberts, owner and creator at Mālie Organics (malie.com), lives by her own rules when it comes to fashion.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MALIE
“I like to dress for myself and wear what I love based on how I am feeling. I don’t worry about what others think or what others are wearing. I like to have fun with clothes and pick the trends that work with my style and body type,” she says. Her eclectic and carefree approach to style is inspired by the natural beauty of the Garden Isle of Kaua‘i. “Hawai‘i’s outdoor lifestyle needs versatility. I like to wear dresses that can go from the pool or beach, and then with a change of shoes and jewelry, I can wear the same dress straight to a nice dinner.” Through her brand Mālie Organics, Roberts shares her vision of simple, organic luxury with island-inspired aromas— look for her newest collection, Tiare, a beautiful floral scent inspired by Hawai‘i’s sister islands of Tahiti.
MY AESTHETIC: Classic and simple
STYLE ICON: My grandmother
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Kivari, Milly and ViX Paula Hermanny
FAVORITE SHOP: Mālie at The Shops at Kukui‘ula, Kaua‘i
SHOPPING WEAKNESS: Great denim
GO-TO OUTFIT: Slip-on dress
CHERISHED ACCESSORY: My grandmother‘s gold medallion necklace
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Jewelry
WORKOUT: Lifting weights
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Moana”
MENTOR: Diane Von Furstenberg
SHOES: Stuart Weitzman
LIPSTICK: CHANEL Rouge Coco gloss
BEST STYLE ADVICE: You don‘t have to jump on every trend. Choose the ones that work for you regardless of the season.
MANTRA: Out of trial comes triumph
JEWELRY: Variety from Keani Hawai‘i, Kā‘anapali, and Honi Hoops Maui, paired with vintage pieces
CURRENT OBSESSION: Jade bracelets and shell leis
FASHION/SHOPPING APP: Retrofete
SKINCARE ESSENTIAL: Mālie‘s Botanical Butter Bun
PURSE: Straw bag for the beach and gold clutch for the evening
SIGNATURE SCENT: Mālie‘s Tiare
FAVORITE WORK OF ART: Irises by Vincent van Gogh
DRESS OR PANT: Dress
PATTERNS OR SOLIDS: Patterns
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Tahitian Pearls
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